I am so glad you posted about finding the right bag for your shape. I had just been thinking of bags but I had a different question about them. I am trying to find the universal bag. The bag that goes with absolutely everything, that is nice enough for work but casual enough for the weekend. The biggest dilemma I have is what color to get. I have a ton of black bags and a few brown ones and then some random colors (mostly orange). But I always find myself changing bags whenever I change jackets or my clothes have a specific color scheme.

Can you please tell me what color bag to get? Would it be ok to get a nice bag in a color like orange or green or should it be a basic like black or tan?

Or are we all just relegated to having to constantly switch bags?

Nadia

Oooooh, good question. I’ll bet Nadia isn’t the only one wondering about this. How many of you are carrying a basic brown or black bag all the time because you’re not sure how to make a colored bag work?

I thought so.

If I had to choose ONE color as The Perfect Bag Color, I would say red. A simple red tote, with clean lines and minimal detailing, goes with virtually everything; it is classic and crisp, and adds color and focus without being too strong.

Kate Spade Rudy New Canaan shopper, Nordstrom, $398.99

Not sure a red bag is for you? Let’s talk about how to find the right color bag for YOUR closet.

A colored bag adds a nice punch to any basic outfit. But as Nadia points out, too much color can be, well, too much color. Start by looking carefully at what you wear every day. Are you a neutrals kind of girl (lots of brown and black and navy)? Then the sky is the limit with your bag. Go for bright color to lively up your very neutral wardrobe. Don’t worry about a teal bag being too much with your gray suits; because the bag isn’t an integral part of the outfit, you can set it aside when you need to be more conservative or somber.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Hudson large pebbled leather satchel, Nordstrom, $398.00

Most of us are not going to work in head-to-toe neutrals, of course; we’re already looking for ways to turn a basic brown skirt into something more interesting. Chances are, you are wearing a fairly small range of colors. We tend to gravitate toward colors that are both flattering and comforting, because we know they look good on us. What are the dominant colors in your closet? Are you wearing a lot of red? Green? Orange? Consult a color wheel and choose a bag in a complimentary shade. If you wear a lot of blue, for example, you could opt for either a green bag or an orange bag, depending on how you want the look to work.

Think about outerwear when you are choosing a colored bag. If your favorite winter coat is red, then you need a bag that will work with that red coat. Because the coat is a big pop of color, you may need to stick with a more neutral bag, honestly, but you can still make a colored bag work; think about a brown bag with orange or green trim, or a black bag with a red scarf tied on it. If your winter coat is a neutral, then go for color.

Brahamin Candice Melbourne satchel, Nordstrom, $375.00

Color still make you nervous? How about texture instead? A faux croc or snakeskin bag will give an outfit texture and depth without the worry that the bag is going to overwhelm the outfit. Metallics are also a nice option; you can choose a bold silver or gold or a slightly more subdued bronze. Patent leather is big this year, and even in a basic brown or black, it has a sheen that gives it an incredible visual interest.

Finally, when you think about a universal bag, on that goes from day to evening, work to weekend, think about the bag’s shape and style. The bags pictured here are all fairly basic shapes, but they all have some interesting detail. Choose a shape that works for you (I prefer a tote with a large opening at the top, enough to toss my laptop in easily, for example) and with hardware that will go with your usual jewelry choices (if you wear lots of gold jewelry, for example, steer clear of the Brighton bags with the dramatic silver hardware). You want your bag to work as part of your outfit, not to compete with your other accessories.